Phillips & Wood suggest that a 60 watt bulb should be more than sufficient for a reading light. With a traditional 100 watt bulb heat can build up and damage the bulb holder or, depending on the size and finish, damage the lampshade. (Image: Vaughan Designs)

Jim Lawrence confirmed that a higher watt bulb could be a problem but you can get around this by using a low energy, cool equivalent, like a compact florescent or led lamp.

For an excellent selection of light bulbs which would provide the strength of light without the heat, speak to the experts at Electricpoint.

We also asked Lucy Vaughan about using an double lamp holder to hold two 40w or 60w bulbs and she said that, ”We can wire most of our table lamps (not candlesticks) to take ‘S-fittings’ with two bulbs, at a charge of £70 per lamp,but you would still run the risk of burning the lampshade. Anyway 100 watt bulbs are now unavailable!”

Companies that have an excellent range of traditional lighting include:

Altfield , Joanna Wallis, Clare Mosley, Collier Webb, Vaughan, Soane